Other Resources

Finding the Means: Investment and Adaptation in Vulnerable CommunitiesFacing multiple challenges from rising seas to repetitive flooding, a new issue paper from the Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law & Policy and The Water Institute of the Gulf examines the “tipping point” factors that may decide when coastal communities may find they can no longer continue.

Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River Hydrographic Survey Projects 2019The five Gulf States support more than half of the domestic crude oil and natural gas production, contain 11 of the nation’s busiest 15 shipping ports and four of the top seven commercial fishing ports when measured by tonnage.* Protecting the health of the Gulf of Mexico is more important than ever. Therefore, NOAA’s Hydrographic Surveys Division has prioritized surveys of the channels and coasts of the Gulf to monitor its environment and inform the safe passage of commerce.

Louisiana’s Working CoastCheck out @LouisianaCPRA interactive Story Map. The Story Map uses narratives, photos and maps, and conveys diverse and poignant details that surround Louisiana’s vanishing coast.

Louisiana’s Coastal Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable CoastThe Coastal Master Plan from CPRA sets forth an ambitious path to create a more sustainable coastal Louisiana landscape. The 2017 Coastal Master Plan provides important information to Louisiana’s coastal citizens, allowing them to protect their families, manage businesses, and plan for the future.

Shoring Up Our FutureThis report, drafted by the Texas General Land office highlights the primary threats to the Texas Coast, along with the opportunities that must be seized if we are going to secure the coast’s future.

Financing the Future IIIThe 2017 Coastal Master Plan carries a $50 billion price tag. Financing the Future I & II showed that the true cost would likely exceed $100 billion while the state can only count on roughly $21 billion in funds. The Tulane Institute of Water Resources Law and Policy wrote this report.ABA Public Land and Resources Committee NewsletterThe February 2016 edition of of the American Bar Association’s Public Lands Committee newsletter – it contains five articles including one by Adam Davis on “making restoration investable.”

The Economic Importance of the Port of New OrleansGary LaGrange, Director of the Port of New Orleans, offered this presentation at the American Waterways Conference in January of 2016. Learn about the jobs the port supports, along with the top commodities and transportation corridors. Learn how 60% of the nation’s grain makes it way to the market and the importance of the Port as the main shipper through the Panama Canal.

The Threat of Carbon Pollution: LouisianaThis overview was written by Obama Administration. It states “We have a moral obligation to leave our children a planet that’s not polluted or damaged, and by taking an all-of-the-above approach to develop homegrown energy and steady, responsible steps to cut carbon pollution, we can protect our kids’ health and begin to slow the effects of climate change so we leave a cleaner, more stable environment for future generations.

FACT SHEET: What Climate Change Means for LouisianaIn May 2014 the Obama Administration released the third U.S. National Climate Assessment—the most comprehensive scientific assessment ever generated of climate change and its impacts across every region of America and major sectors of the U.S. economy. The findings in this National Climate Assessment underscore the need for urgent action to combat the threats from climate change, protect American citizens and communities today, and build a sustainable future for our kids and grandkids.

Advancing Policy for Ecosystem Restoration FundingOur nation must have a clearer framework for sustainable management of our ecosystems. And we must develop better, more dependable streams of funding for the work. After people, water is our most critical and strategic resource. Since the combined threats of aging infrastructure, climate change and population growth are so significant, the nation can no longer afford to postpone action.

Risky Business: The Economic Risks of Climate Change in the United StatesThe Risky Business Project is designed to apply risk assessment to the critical issue of climate change, and to take a sober, fact-based look at the potential risks facing specific sectors and regions of the national economy. As in a classic business risk assessment, we analyzed not only the most likely scenarios, but also the scenarios that, while less likely, could have more significant impacts. This report was released in 2014.

Impact of a Category 1 Hurricane on Southwest LouisianaThis PowerPoint created by NOAA shows the same Category 1 hurricane landfalling in SW Coastal Louisiana in 2010, 2015, 2015, 2050 and 2100. The coastal elevation lost to sea level and the effects of the conversion to open water show the very large growth of the flooding that SW Louisiana will see with the same hurricane event now compared to the future.

What is your Coastal Flood Risk? (Burn Energy Journal)Sea level rise is just one of the consequences of climate change. Especially for the United States, which has 20 of the most threatened coastal cities in the world. See how rising seas will affect any coastal city in the U.S.

Status and Trends of Wetlands (USDA and NOAA)This report, published in November 2013, presents the latest status information on coastal wetland resources and provides estimates of losses or gains that occurred in the coastal watersheds in the conterminous U.S. between 2004 and 2009. The information presented provides data on the areal extent of wetlands but does not assess wetland condition or other qualitative changes to wetlands in coastal watersheds.

Louisiana Coastal Fact SheetA brief document that lays out facts about the Louisiana Coast and the unique challenges it faces. This fact sheet was created by Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

A Birder’s Guide to LouisianaThe rich ecosystems created by Louisiana’s varied and unusual terrain form a nurturing habitat for vast numbers of birds, including both those that are native to the region and many that migrate to or through the area each year. Many state parks and national wildlife refuges around the state are havens for birdwatching and bird photography.

Gulf of Mexico Fact SheetA brief document published by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance details the value – economically and culturally – of the Gulf of Mexico.

National Geographic Magazine, December 1897In the December 1897 issue of National Geographic Magazine contained an article called “The Delta of the Mississippi River” that stated “if certain levee structures were placed in a manner that fresh water and sediments, along with vital nutrients, were laid to waste off the mouth of the Mississippi River, their deltaic regenerative properties would be lost and unrecoverable.”

Wildlife Tourism and the Gulf Coast EconomyA report from Datu Research LLC funded by Walton and EDF, “Wildlife Tourism and the Gulf Coast Economy,” found that wildlife tourism attracts 20 million people annually to Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and contributes $5.3 billion in tax revenue to the government.

The Economic Impact of Reduced Dredging of the Mississippi RiverThe Mississippi River is the highway to the vast central portion of the United States. Many of the commodities and goods produced in the heartland of the United States are brought to world markets via the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond to the world economies. This report was authored by Timothy P. Ryan, Ph.D.

Coastal ConcernsAn article that appeared in “State Legislature” focuses on the unique coastal issues facing Louisiana, the Gulf of Mexico and other coastal regions in the United States.

Review of Policy Conflicts to Large-Scale Restoration of WetlandsThis 2008 report drafted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service responds to the director’s request that the Division of Habitat and Resource Conservation prepares a compilation of examples and issue discussions of policy conflicts and obstacles that hinder large-scale wetland restoration nationwide.

America’s Gulf Coast ReportThis report produced by Restore America’s Estuaries looks at the economics of restoration. Economics provides a framework for discussing and quantifying the effects that coasts and estuaries have on one aspect of personal well being – our economic well being.

The Economic and Market Values of Coastal RestorationThis report produced by Restore America’s Estuaries looks at the economics of restoration. Economics provides a framework for discussing and quantifying the effects that coasts and estuaries have on one aspect of personal wellbeing – our economic wellbeing.

Facing The Elements: Building Business Resilience In A Changing Climate (2012)The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy has been studying and reporting on the economic risks and opportunities of climate change for Canada. Their Climate Prosperity program is advancing understanding of how and where climate change will impact our environment and economy and what we can do about it.

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco issued a proclamation on February 1, 2007 in honor of World Wetlands Day, urging our citizens to learn more about how comprehensive coastal protection includes both flood control and wetland restoration and to support efforts to raise awareness about the critical need for Louisiana to develop a sustainable coast.